1878: 140 years ago Gilbert & Sullivan’s comic opera “H.M.S. Pinafore” premiered at the Opera Comique in London. The opera saw poor ticket sales at first, supposedly due to a summer heat wave making the theater uncomfortable. Although closing notices were posted, special concert presentations and cooler weather revitalized interest in the opera. Pinafore would run for 571 performances and eventually become Gilbert & Sullivan’s first international success.